NEW YORK -- Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, issued the following statement today regarding Priests for Life’s challenge to the Affordable Care Act’s HHS mandate on abortion-causing drugs and devices and contraception:
“Although the Zubik vs. Burwell case, of which we are a part, involves bishops, priests, religious brothers and sisters, and Christian institutions of various denominations, the fact is that religious freedom is not rooted in any institution or denomination, but rather in human nature -- it's part of the dignity of the human person that they freely search for the truth and freely embrace it. Those who may still be searching or who have concluded that God is not to be found can appreciate the fact that the freedom to come to those conclusions belongs to them, not to the government.”
Kelsey Hazzard, president of Secular Pro-Life, was happy with the Supreme Court order last week sending the seven cases in Zubik vs. Burwell back to the lower courts with the expectation that an actual accommodation can be found.
"We are pleased to see that the government has found a solution that does not require anyone to act contrary to his or her conscience,” said Ms. Hazzard.
Father Pavone added: “Those who find the HHS mandate a troubling threat to our Constitution span the entire spectrum of our fellow citizens. We are not waging this battle just for religious people, but for every American.”
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Priests for Life was the first of the petitioners in the Zubik case to challenge the HHS mandate in Court. For more details about the case, visit www.IStandWithPFL.com.